Who’s your child talking to online?

Concerns are being raised about programmes, gaming platforms and apps that place children in situations where they can be contacted without parents knowledge – so how can you keep your child safe?

These include online gaming sites where players meet and social media apps that include private video streaming and messaging, for example XBOX Live or the Live.me peer video social media app.

First of all, your child should not be able to download apps or programmes on any of their devices without your approval.  Good practice includes keeping  and changing passwords regularly as well as checking your child’s device to see what they are accessing.

Platforms like XBox Live or apps like Live.me have clearly well known dangers for children using them – anyone can contact your child and children can and are targeted.  These programmes and apps are designed for much older children or adults – just a quick skim read of their descriptions in either Google Play or Apple store will show you an age rating and clearly describe the app’s content.

For further information on keeping your child safe online, please visit for a review of Live.Me https://www.internetmatters.org/hub/expert-opinion/live-app-review/ 

and https://www.internetmatters.org/advice/tech-guide/gaming-consoles/ for a review of all gaming consoles.